Tiana Jaber Explained

Tiana Jaber
Birth Date:9 May 2000
Birth Place:Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Wellington Phoenix
Clubnumber:26
Youthyears1:2019–2020
Youthclubs1:Western Sydney Wanderers
Years1:2019
Clubs1:North West Sydney Koalas
Caps1:20
Goals1:0
Years2:2019–2020
Clubs2:Western Sydney Wanderers
Caps2:1
Goals2:0
Years3:2020
Clubs3:Sydney University
Caps3:11
Goals3:0
Years4:2020–2022
Clubs4:Newcastle Jets
Caps4:16
Goals4:1
Years5:2022–2023
Clubs5:Bankstown City
Caps5:21
Goals5:0
Years6:2023
Clubs6:Western United
Caps6:3
Goals6:0
Years7:2023
Clubs7:Bankstown City
Caps7:16
Goals7:1
Years8:2023–
Clubs8:Wellington Phoenix
Caps8:11
Goals8:0
Club-Update:28 May 2024

Tiana Jaber (; born 9 May 2000) is a footballer who plays as a defender for A-League Women club Wellington Phoenix. Born in Australia, Jaber was called-up to the Lebanon national team in 2024.

Early life

Jaber spent her childhood growing up in Western Sydney while attending Glenwood High School; she is of Lebanese and Italian descent.[1] [2]

Club career

Western Sydney Wanderers

Jaber played for North West Sydney Koalas in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women's before being signed on a scholarship contract by the Western Sydney Wanderers in 2019. On 14 February 2020 Jaber was upgraded to a professional contract as she began training more frequently with the first team.[3] She made her debut for the club on 20 February as a second-half substitute in a 4–0 loss to Melbourne City.

The February debut would prove to be Jaber's sole appearance for the Wanderers as she left the club at the conclusion of the 2019–20 season to play for Sydney University in the NSW Women's NPL.[4] The 2020 season was successful for Jaber and Sydney University as the side won the Premiership and narrowly lost the Grand Final 2–1 to Manly United.

Newcastle Jets

After her exciting season with Sydney University Jaber returned to the W-League and signed with the Newcastle Jets ahead of the 2020–21 season. Jaber played four matches in her first season with the Jets as she contended with Tessa Tamplin for the starting full-back position.[5]

Jaber spent the winter of 2021 at National Premier Leagues ACT Women's side Western Canberra Wanderers where she become known for her competitive nature collecting multiple yellow cards throughout the season.[6]

Jaber returned to Newcastle for the 2021–22 season where a revitalised Jets side sought to return to the A-League Women finals series. The departure of Tamplin overseas also presented Jaber with an opportunity to feature in the starting eleven. The young full-back started the opening match of the season against Sydney FC, however she was sent off in the 77th minute as the Jets lost 3–1. Jaber returned from suspension on Matchday 3 against her former club Western Sydney, she opened the scoring with a long range effort in the 1–1 draw with the Wanderers. Jaber's first professional goal impressed many viewers across the league.[7]

Western United

In February 2023, Jaber joined expansion club Western United as an injury replacement player until the end of the 2022–23 A-League Women season, following an anterior cruciate ligament injury to Aimee Medwin.[8]

Wellington Phoenix

In December 2023, Jaber was signed by Wellington Phoenix until the end of the 2023–24 A-League Women season as an injury replacement, following a knee injury to Marisa van der Meer.[9] In July 2024, she signed for Phoenix for a full season.

International career

Jaber was born in Australia, making her eligible for selection by Australia through birth. She is also eligible to represent Lebanon through her father and Italy through her mother. In July 2024, she accepted a call-up to attend a training camp with Lebanon.

Style of play

Jaber is a versatile defender who can play as a centre-back (in a back four and back three) and as a full-back.

Career statistics

[10]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoals
North West Sydney Koalas2019NPL NSW200200
Western Sydney Wanderers2019–20A-League1010
Sydney University2020NPL NSW110110
Newcastle Jets2020–21A-League4040
2021–22A-League121121
Total161161
Bankstown City2022NPL NSW210210
Western United2022–23A-League3030
Bankstown City2023NPL NSW161161
Wellington Phoenix2023–24A-League110110
Career total992992

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Harmony the key word at Glenwood High School. Daily Telegraph. 2022-01-04.
  2. Web site: 5 July 2024 . Jaber recommits to the Nix . . Tiana Jaber is likely to be a fully-fledged international footballer by the time the new A-League season starts, having been called up to a training camp with Lebanon this month..
  3. Web site: Wanderers Announce Changes To Westfield W-League Squad. Western Sydney Wanderers FC. 14 February 2020 . 2022-01-04.
  4. Web site: Jaber Ready To Shine On Finals Day. Sydney University Soccer Football Club. 2022-01-04.
  5. Web site: W-League: Young fullback Tiana Jaber taking opportunity with Newcastle Jets. Newcastle Jets FC. 10 March 2021 . 2022-01-04.
  6. Web site: W-League player Tiana Jaber misses Federation Cup final after no appeal granted for red card. Canberra Times. 6 June 2021 . 2022-01-04.
  7. Web site: Jets defender Tiana Jaber savours stunning turnaround world-class strike. Newcastle Herald. 21 December 2021 . 2022-01-04.
  8. Web site: Western United picks up talented defender Tiana Jaber. Nick. Hughes. Western United. 28 February 2023.
  9. Web site: Phoenix bolster women's squad. Wellington Phoenix. 27 December 2023.
  10. https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&client=0-10179-150748-514697-26387794&pID=205857426&pname=Tiana%20Jaber&news_task=DETAIL Tiana Jaber